SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Yellowjacket men's soccer team entered postseason play Wednesday, seeing action in the semifinal match against Northwestern. The 'Jackets enter the postseason tournament as the No. 1 seed, defeating all Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) opponents and allowing just two goals in 2024.
 
Fans both in attendance and watching online saw a quick and physical contest take place at Superior Choice Credit Union Stadium, seeing the Yellowjackets score four goals in the first half on their way to a 5-1 win over the Eagles.
 
Leading the charge for UW-Superior was leading goal-scorer Jake Kidd (Superior, Wis./Superior), who logged two more on the day to extend his season total to 22. This mark not only leads the Yellowjackets, but it leads the conference and ranks within the top five throughout NCAA Division III.
 
Match Notes

• The offensive output began in the fourth minute for UWS, as Isaac Becket (Surrey, England/The Sixth Form College Farnborough) sent a pass to Josh Bellamy (High Wycombe, England/FAB Football Academy) who secured his ninth goal of the campaign.
• Both teams proceeded to rifle shots at the opposing goalkeeper until the 23rd minute of play saw Freddy Watson (Wendover, England/Berkshire College of Agriculture) send a pass to Kidd, beating Eagles' keeper Michael Machuca to give the Yellowjackets a two-goal advantage.
• Action would continue for Superior, as Kidd logged his second of the match for a 3-0 lead. Joel Thomas (Cardiff, Wales/Islwyn) would be tabbed with the assist, marking his seventh on the year.
• The physicality from both teams seemed to ramp up throughout the half, as three yellow cards were issued by the referees.
• Nearing the end of the half, Phillip Eriksen (Skjetten, Norway/Lorenskog) found the back of the net for his fourth of the year. Earning the assist at the 44th minute of action was Nicolai Stokker (Klokkarstua, Norway/St. Hallvard).
• Northwestern logged a goal in the 53rd minute, as Joey McMillin fed Jared Mojardin to bring the Eagles within three.
• Both teams tuned the intensity even higher than the first half, as three more cards were issued.
• Nearing the final stages of the match, Eriksen logged his second of the match, while Aaron Shartin-Folkert (Hudson, Wis./Somerset) and Watson earned the helpers. This goal would secure the Yellowjackets' eighth trip to the conference tournament match.
• The Yellowjackets outshot the Eagles 19-8 in total shots, while leading shots on goal by an 8-4 mark.
• Superior's goalkeeper Alex Paredes (Mequon, Wis./Homestead) earned the win on the day, making three saves in the process.

 
The Yellowjackets will host Bethany Lutheran in the league's championship match for the fourth consecutive season, who defeated Crown College in penalty kicks by a score of 4-2 Wednesday to advance in the postseason tournament. The opening kickoff is set for noon at Superior Choice Credit Union Stadium.
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